peter's square for pope benedict's final sunday blessing. part pep rally. part prayer service. just being in the crowd of 1,000 was a learning experience for these american students. >> that the faith has no national boundaries and political interests. >> reporter: the object of their affection and gratitude, the 85-year-old pontiff. he told the crowd he is not abandoning the church but answering god's call to more prayer and meditation, more appropriate for his age and strength. yet even in this joyful square, the scandals that marked his papacy were on the minds of some. >> i think he has done an admirable job in admitting the failures of his fellow bishop and priests, but also in desiring to clean up what he knows is a very awful mess. >> reporter: the vatican is denying unsubstantiated reports of scandal and blackmail inside its walls. outside you charges of clergy sex abuse ensnares some of the cardinals who will elect the next pope. saturday, cardinal roger mahoney answered lawyers' questions for almost four hours about an abusive priest under his management in los angele